2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan | Kyoto

May 20 | Evan | No Comments |

By the time our small group of photographers reached Kyoto, time earlier than normal cherry blossom season was starting to catch up with us. Even that being the case, there were still areas of Kyoto where we could still find cherry blossoms in good condition and also many places in Kyoto are picturesque with or without cherry blossoms.

Often visitors of Japan tell me they want to go “off the beaten path” which sometimes we will do, but sometimes the view from the path is too great to pass up on. Kyoto has many of these high traffic paths with great views like Fushimi Inari Taisha, Golden Pavilion and Bamboo Groves of Arashiyama. After all, there is a reason they got on the path in the first place!

So now the challenge becomes creating your art at this often photographed place in a way that is your unique view. Usually I find myself having to take the “standard” photo just to get it out of my system, then I can look for my view off the path. If you do visit Japan, even though Kyoto IS the beaten path, don’t pass up on it. There is no city in the world like Kyoto that can match it’s mix of modern, tradition and culture and with more than 400 shrines, 1600 temples and plenty of small side streets, you will have many paths, on and off, to explore and photograph in Kyoto!

The 2018 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour took a small group of photographers to Japan. We started in Tokyo and continued to Hiroshima, Miyajima, HImeji Castle, Kyoto and Mt. Fuji. Here is the trip report from the 2018 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan. The 2019 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan is already planned and live! Limited spots are available for the 2019 Cherry Blossom Photography Tour of Japan, with first booking already reserved! Below is a gallery of cherry blossom photos from our time spent making photos in Kyoto.

2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan | Himeji

May 16 | Evan | No Comments |

After 3 wonderful days photographing the cherry blossoms of Miyajima, the 2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour continued North East to Himeji, home of Japan’s most spectacular castle, Himeji Castle. Like most of the locations I choose for the photography tour of Japan during cherry blossom season, the castle has fantastic cherry blossoms, but also there are many views of the castle that we can create photographs of if they cherry blossom timing is off or if we are cherry blossomed out!

Like Mt. Fuji though, I believe Himeji Castle is most beautiful from a far, sometimes even as an item in the background. Perhaps I’m falling under the influence of Katsushika Hokusai where in a lot of his works of art of Mt. Fuji, it’s just a small point in the background of the image.

Of course sometimes you just have to give credit where credit is due for certain subjects, like Himeji Castle or photos of cherry blossoms themselves. Neither the cherry blossoms or Himeji Castle disappointed our photography tour!

2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan | Miyajima

May 13 | Evan | No Comments |

The 2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour departed Tokyo to travel to Hiroshima by bullet train, then took a chartered van to Miyajima Port and finally a ferry to reach Miyajima. It’s a long journey but our small photography group arrived in Miyajima at perfect time to photograph the cherry blossoms. When one thinks of Miyajima, most people think about the torii gate that floats in the water when the tide is in, but there are many photogenic spots on the island of Miyajima, especially during cherry blossom season.

For me, it’s really important to stay on the island when visiting Miyajima as it gets overcrowded with tourists during the day, early morning and dusk are much more pleasant not only for obvious lighting reasons but also just to enjoy the atmosphere of the island. Besides the pagodas, torii gate, temples and shrines, the deer always are fun photograph and observe in Miyajima, especially when they pose with cherry blossoms!

And yes, there is the great torii gate which even when the tide is out, provides lot’s of photographic opportunities to create art in Miyajima. It’s said that Miyajima is one of Japan’s 3 most scenic places in Japan and having traveled and photographed many places in Japan, it’s hard to disagree!

2018 Cherry Blossom Photo Tour of Japan | Tokyo

Apr 30 | Evan | No Comments |

Either as a photographer to take photos or just view the cherry blossoms, Japanese and tourists are always excited for cherry blossom season. The 2018 the cherry blossoms couldn’t wait either. Compared to an average year, the cherry blossoms in Japan bloomed earlier than normal and in some places in Japan even 10 -14 days earlier than normal! Luckily, for just about all of our locations for the 2018 cherry blossom photography tour, we still could see the tail end of the cherry blossoms.

Our first destination on the 2018 cherry blossom photography tour of Japan was Tokyo. This year’s group of 6 including me, all arrived earlier than the official start date of the photo tour to settle in and experience more of Japan’s largest city. Our first day of the tour was probably the last full bloom day in Tokyo as the cherry blossoms were starting to fall to the ground. Photographing the cherry blossoms falling can also be beautiful, so if I have a preference, I’d prefer to be slightly late than early to photograph the cherry blossoms in Japan!

Our photography tour stayed in Tokyo for 2 nights and by the morning of our departure to Hiroshima, there was a lot more green in the cherry blossoms than I would have liked to photograph but still beautiful spots to be found!